NYJO Learning: We Out Here Festival 2026

September 16, 2026

This summer, our NYJO tuba collection hit the road again for a series of workshops in the Family Field at We Out Here Festival! For the fifth year running, NYJO Trustee and Lead Educator Andy Grappy introduced young people to the magic of this instrument, teaching total beginners how to play and make music together.

 

Saturday 24 January, Saturday 7 February, Saturday 28 February & Saturday 7 March 1530 - 1730 BMusic, Birmingham B1 2EA (5)
Saturday 24 January, Saturday 7 February, Saturday 28 February & Saturday 7 March 1530 - 1730 BMusic, Birmingham B1 2EA (4)
Saturday 24 January, Saturday 7 February, Saturday 28 February & Saturday 7 March 1530 - 1730 BMusic, Birmingham B1 2EA (3)

 

At the festival, supported by our NYJO Emerging Professional musicians, Andy helped people go from never having held a tuba before to playing and improvising their own music in the space of 30 minutes!

“I really enjoyed the tuba workshops. It was amazing to work with Andy again. He is such an inspirational teacher and I was able to learn some techniques which I could put towards other teaching opportunities.”

Isabella Zufolo, NYJO Emerging Professional Musician

 

 

Here, we celebrated the freedom of making music for the joy of it, without worrying about having to be perfect or what happens if you make a mistake. Instead, we just enjoyed being able to create something brand-new together; we can’t think of a better way to see out the end of summer!

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NYJO Blueprint Orchestra

A new, forward-looking big band programme for NYJO Emerging Professional musicians.

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Musical Director Olivia Murphy stands with her back to the camera, she is conducting the Blueprint Orchestra rehearsal.

Georgia (EP quote)

“It’s hard to just learn this music in the practice room but being immersed in the music at NYJO is a great environment to really push my playing. ” 

Georgia Ayew, NYJO Emerging Professional (Drums)

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Lucy-Anne (EP quote)

“Since joining NYJO, I’m so much more confident as a performer. Especially in terms of being able to entertain and keep the crowd engaged with you. It’s really nice to be able to feel that difference.” 

Lucy-Anne, NYJO Emerging Professional (Vocals)

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Sam Eastmond (MD quote)

"Giving them space to create whatever they wanted, without setting parameters of idiom or style helped them to conceptualise how they could bring these new concepts into their work without scaring them off, or mystifying the process."

Sam Eastmond, NYJO Educator

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"NYJO has never been conformist, never hewing to one particular line, never known for fawning replications and very deliberately these days a vehicle for new possibilities."

Jazzwise Magazine

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Lydia (EP quote)

"The past year has been an absolutely incredible experience, pushing me way out of my comfort zone into playing with some of the greatest young jazz players of my generation and getting to call them my colleagues and friends has been beyond inspiring, and also an obscene amount of fun!"

Lydia Cochrane, NYJO Emerging Professional (Saxophone)

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Anna (Learning national quote)

"[The NYJO residential in Cumbria] helped me to make friends with other young musicians. I enjoy playing a lot more and I’m quite proud of what I’ve accomplished. I feel more confident now. I have learnt different ways of coming up with solid melodies and also a little bit on harmonies. I think it’s been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had."

Anna, NYJO Learning Widening Access participant

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Briony (Learning U18s quote)

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Briony, NYJO Under 18s

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Oscar (Learning U18s quote)

"I think I’ve progressed a lot in my piano-playing. NYJO has helped me to flourish and really enjoy it. I’ve really enjoyed being engrossed in a high level of playing and learning things in a hands-on-way. I also like the diversity of perspectives and abilities of all the players and teachers which enables me to try things I might not normally."

Oscar, NYJO Under 18s

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Jennie (Learning U18s quote)

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Jennie, NYJO Under 18s

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Leah-Anais (Learning U18s quote)

"I love the people at NYJO. Everyone here is so encouraging and lovely and it makes the experience worthwhile. Though I have fun I’m still learning on the way which makes me feel productive too."

Leah-Anais, NYJO Under 18s

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